Rear Adm. Tom Rowden will head Naval Surface Forces. (Navy)

The Pentagon announced Monday that Rear Adm. Tom Rowden has been tapped to become the head of Naval Surface Forces, relieving Vice. Adm. Thomas Copeman, a position that comes with a third star.

Rowden currently is the director of Surface Warfare for the chief of naval operations in the Pentagon. Rowden graduated from the Naval Academy in 1982 and is a nuclear-trained surface warfare officer who has commanded the destroyer Milius, and served as reactor officer on the carrier George Washington.

As a flag officer, he has led the Ronald Reagan and Nimitz Strike Groups.

Rowden’s awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and other personal, unit, and campaign awards.

The Pentagon also said Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary who previously served as the Navy’s top spokesman, has been nominated for a second star.